Mabel
Today I had to have Mabel “put down”. Such a horrible phrase put down where? Am I going to pick her up again?
No, Mabel is no more, just a cat but she died in my arms. When my time comes I would wish to die in the arms of someone who loved me.
Mabel was a proud cat who lived life to the full. No rodent or bird was safe from her grasp. She loved to be fussed, but when she had had enough she would let you know with claw and tooth.
She lived to be nearly 21 years old, over the past year she has had medication for an over-active thyroid gland and had been fine. A graceful lady at peace with the world, seeking the warm areas of the house and wanting food and attention and calm.
Yesterday her back legs had given up and she struggled to walk, her right side and right legs were swollen, she could do little more than lie still and breathe in gasps.
I can rationalise my decision by saying that she was in a very sorry state and unable to look after herself, but she did respond to kindness. Was it a kindness to have her put down? A child walked passed me with the slogan “Kindness is the new cool”, emblazoned across her T-shirt.
I do not feel cool, I feel sad. I had a faithful pet killed, even the vet said it was the merciful thing to do as the prognosis was poor.
But she died in my arms and I have to come to terms with that. I did not receive 30 pieces of silver, but that is what it cost me. I paid the price of her death, now in my heart, I pay the price for her death.
